Popcorn-heater



L. H. RUEHLE.

POPCORN HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.20. I918.

Patented May 25, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS H. RUEHLE, or EMMETSBURG, IOWA.

POPCORN-HEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

' Application filed December 20, 1918. Serial No. 267,653.

and is in the nature of a container for holding corn that has been popped and maintaining the same in a fresh, crisp and samtary condition for such a period of time as to enable the same to be shipped to a considerable distance and servedin a perfectly satisfactory manner, the product being in reality finer in quality than the pop corn immediately after it is taken from the corn popping machine. l K

Corn after it has been popped in the machine at present in use soon becomes stale and soggy and is therefore unpalatable. Consequently this means a considerable loss to the operator of the machine and dealer in the product. By means of the heater or container hereinafter described, this waste is eliminated thereby adding greatly to the profit of the dealer.

With the above and other objects 111 view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein fully described, illustrated and claimed.

corn heater.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the heater'detaclied.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the locking hook. Referring to the drawings 1 designates the body of the heater or container which is preferably as shown of cylindrical formation. This body may be of any desired size to contain any desired quantity of pop corn. If desired the pop corn may be placed in the container while in bags or sacks. 2 designates a top or cover of the container 1, the same being provided with a suitable handle 3. The top or cover 2 is provided with bayonet slots 4 to engage 1ugs5 on the outside of the container 1 thus enabling the top to be securely fastened to the body of the container. Within the top or cover 2 1s a packing ring or gasket 6 which is held in place by a ring or flange 7. Said packing ring or gasket is designed to bear against the top edge of the body 1, of the container and form an airtight joint. so that all air is excluded from the container when the top or cover is in its place.

Extending below the bottom 8 of the containerbody is a flange or rim or end 9 forming a compartment to receive a detachable heater 10 which fits inside of the flange 9 as shown in Fig.2. The heater 10 is of the electric type containing resistance coils 11 and is held in place by means of lugs 12 extending from opposite sides thereof and adapted to receive bolts 13 projecting downwardly from the bottom 8 of the heater, nuts 14 being threaded upon the bolts 13 below the. lugs 12 of the heater. 15 designates an electric cord adapted to be attached to the socket of any convenient electric lamp fixture. In order to lock the cover against pos sible displacement from the main bodv of the container during transportation and rough handling, I employ a hook or lockingdevice 16 which is connected by a pivot 17 to the flange of the cover as-shown in Fig.

1 and said hook is adapted to engage one of the lugs 5 or a stud or projection thereon. When the hook 16 is in a position last described it prevents rotative movement be-' tween the can or container and its cover. If desired a screw 18 may be inserted in one of the lugs to be engaged by the hook 16 and said screw may be tightened so as to prevent disengagement of the hooks under rough handling.

At the end of the days run of the corn popping machine, the surplus pop corn which has not been sold is placed in the container and the top of said container fastened tightly in place so as to exclude all air therefrom. The corn may be kept crisp and sanitary for a period of many days. In order to serve the corn, before removing the top of the container, the electric heater is put in operation and allowed to continue in operation for a suitable time until the contents of the container are heated. Then when the pop corn is removed from the container, it will be found in a crisp sanitary and in every way satisfactory condition. By means of the construction above described all waste of pop corn is eliminated and the pop corn'may be shipped to distant points and served at a great variety of places Where it is now impossible to serve it of a container having lugs, a detachable cover therefor, having bayonet slots, With wedging faces to engage said lugsya packing ring within the cover adapted to bear against thetop edge of the container, to form an airtight joint, a headed element detach jably associated with oneof said lugs, a looking hook pivotally carried by the cover and adapted to engage the shank of said element between the head thereof and the lug to which it is attached, to lock the cover against uncoupling movement, and a handle for said cover.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LOUIS H. RUEHLE. 

